Tethered with heavy, industrial-strength chains were several adult dogs, mostly pit bulls and German shepherds, all of them underweight and covered in sores. Several more dogs — young puppies — were found in cages, trying to keep warm in plastic containers.

It was clear to rescuers that this was place where dogs were being raised and "trained" for dogfighting.

“Efforts are currently underway to locate and rescue the rest of the dogs moved off this property,” Scotlund Haisley, president of ARC, said in a release. “We and our law enforcement partners won’t give up.”

Rescuers held puppies close to communicate that they were finally safe. And they brought the animals to an emergency shelter where people from ARC will take care of them until they can be placed with rescue organizations to get them adopted.

Often, saving dogs from fighting rings relies on concerned individuals willing to speak out about anything suspicious — like this compound found in the woods. Signs of dogfighting are treadmills and springboards, used to "train" fighting dogs.